Archive · 1 Dec 2025
US Halts Afghan Visa Processing After Shooting
The US government has stopped processing visas for people from Afghanistan.
This includes special visas for Afghans who helped the US during the war.
The decision was made after a recent incident where a former Afghan ally hurt US soldiers.
The US says they need to check identities more carefully.
Many Afghans who helped the US are waiting for visas, and this change might make it harder for them to come to the US.
The US has already let in 200,000 Afghans, but there are still many more waiting.
The US government is also focusing more on controlling who comes into the country legally.
The person who hurt the soldiers came to the US in 2021 and was granted asylum in 2025.
The US believes he became radicalized after arriving in the country.
The pause on asylum decisions could last a long time, according to President Trump.
The US State Department has ordered a halt to visa processing for all Afghan nationals, including those applying for Special Immigrant Visas.
The decision follows an incident where a former member of an Afghan CIA-backed unit shot two US National Guard soldiers, one of whom died.
Consular officers are instructed to reject any visa applications from Afghan nationals and cancel or destroy any authorized but unprinted visas.
About 200,000 Afghans have entered the US through refugee and special visa programs, with an additional 265,000 applications pending, including 180,000 in the Special Immigrant Visa pipeline.
The Trump administration has been prioritizing immigration enforcement, with this move suggesting an increased focus on legal immigration and deportation of asylum seekers.
- Who
- US State Department, Afghan nationals, US President Donald Trump’s administration, Rahmanullah Lakanwal
- What
- Halt in visa processing for Afghan nationals, including Special Immigrant Visas, following a shooting incident
- When
- Effective immediately from November 28, 2023
- Where
- All US diplomatic posts worldwide
- Why
- To ensure the applicant’s identity and eligibility for a visa under US law, following a recent incident involving a former member of an Afghan CIA-backed unit
Immigration Advocates
Trump Administration
Visa Processing Halt
Immigration Advocates
Criticize the halt as discriminatory and harmful to vulnerable Afghans who aided the U.S.
Trump Administration
Justify the halt as necessary for national security and proper vetting.
Radicalization Concerns
Immigration Advocates
Argue that radicalization is a complex issue not solely tied to immigration status.
Trump Administration
Emphasize the need to prevent radicalization among immigrants as a top priority.
- Date of Order
- November 28, 2023
- Affected Group
- Afghan nationals, including Special Immigrant Visa applicants
- Reason for Halt
- Identity and eligibility verification, following a shooting incident
- Number of Afghans in US
- 200,000 (as of 2021)
- Pending Applications
- 265,000 (including 180,000 in Special Immigrant Visa pipeline)
- US Policy Shift
- Increased focus on legal immigration and deportation of asylum seekers
- Shooting Suspect
- Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, granted asylum in April 2025
- Radicalization
- Believed to have occurred after arrival in the U.S.
- Countries Affected by Asylum Pause
- 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, and Myanmar
Sources
US State Department stops processing visas for Afghan allies
Trump admin doubles down attack against 'unvetted alien' Afghans, lists crime ranging from terrorism to rape
National Guard shooting suspect radicalized in US, homeland secretary says
National Guard shooting suspect radicalized in US, homeland secretary says
National Guard DC shooting: ‘Suspect was radicalised in US’, says Homeland Security Secretary Noem
Washington DC Shooting: Kristi Noem says suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal radicalized in US, family under scrutiny
Trump defends asylum freeze after Afghan shooter arrest in DC Guard attack — ‘We have enough problems’
Trump says US to pause asylum decisions 'for long time' after White House shooting
US asylum pause could last 'a long time,' says Trump after Afghan migrant kills National Guardswoman near White House
